|
Covid-19 Memorial Tree Planting
A huge thank you to all our wonderful volunteers
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has planted 633 trees to commemorate the number of people who lost their lives across the borough, and anyone impacted as
a result of Covid-19.
The trees are a mixture of nine different native species including Oak, Birch, Hawthorn, Field Maple and Guelder Rose. The Memorial site is in Alllington Open Space on Castle Road, a site shown on Google Maps as 'The Big Field'. The trees are arranged in concentric circles, to create a sense of endless remembrance and respect for those that sadly died.
MBC would like to say a huge thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who came to help the Parks & Open Spaces Team plant the trees over two days in early March and we were all blessed with wonderful sunny weather. Our volunteers were a mixture of Maidstone residents, Council staff and members and colleagues, including waste contractor SUEZ. Many of the volunteers had personal connections to the memorial and we are very grateful for their support.
The trees are whips (young saplings) and each is protected by a guard to keep them safe from herbivores and animals in this popular dog walking area. These tree guards will later be removed. MBC Parks & Open Spaces Team will continue to care for the trees with regular mowing and any trees that are lost will be replaced, to keep the memorial alive.
MBC will also be arranging regular watering sessions with the support of volunteers, including Allington Community Gardeners and Allington Wildlife groups.
|
|
Food Waste Recycling Survey
MBC has opened a consultation for you to share your thoughts on waste separation and how the Council can improve this service to encourage more participation from residents
Reducing and recycling our food waste is an important part of reducing carbon emissions in our borough to help combat climate change and reach our Net Zero target.
The 'Love Food, Hate Waste' campaign has reached out to hundreds of residents over the years, helping them to save money and reduce their food waste by smart shopping, suitable storage and using up leftovers. Where this is not possible, recycling food waste in the 23L caddy is a simple way for residents to reduce waste, do something positive in the community and reduce their carbon footprint.
Putting food waste in the general rubbish bin harms the environment and costs us all a lot more money than if it's treated via the food waste system. That's why we need all households to use their food caddy and dispose of food waste every week.
We want to know how we can make the food waste service easier to use and the more we can find out, the more we can learn and improve our service.
The consultation closes on Sunday 30 March and will take you less than five minutes to complete.
|
|
'Food Waste Combo' deal continues!
Make food waste recycling easier in your kitchen with our food waste combination limited time deal
You can get a 23-litre food recycling caddy, five-litre kitchen caddy (colour varies) and a roll of bags.
All for £10 !
|
Competition time!
MBC Waste Management Team are holding a competition for anyone who has taken delivery of their new combination package in the previous month.
Each month, one lucky resident who is taking part in the scheme and using the bin correctly will
win a £50 shopping voucher!
We will be checking food bin usage again in early April so grab your bin bargain today to be in for a chance of winning!
|
|
Maidstone's Big Day Out
14 June 2025
Join us in celebrating the natural beauty of Maidstone Borough
Organisers of Maidstone's Big Day Out continue to gather details of organisations and groups who will host events highlighting their green spaces for this wonderful celebration day and you can now see confirmed locations on their website. This is a fantastic way to discover some of the amazing green spaces and find out how you can get involved with active groups across the borough of Maidstone.
Use the map to discover sites and events that are on your doorstep
It is not too late to take part. You can register your own local green space and host an event with your local group. Organisers also welcome volunteers who are not part of a group already and can help connect you with people in your local area.
|
|
Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Sustainability Roadshow
12 March 2025
|
MBC was invited to the hospital's Sustainability Roadshow.
The event was a fantastic opportunity to meet residents from across the borough to provide information and advice on sustainability, alongside representatives from Kent County Council's Active Travel Team, who demonstrated the benefits of electric bikes, and NHS showing visitors the amazing work they are doing to make their service healthier for our planet.
|
|
6,981 New Trees Across Maidstone!
MBC have helped to plant 6,981 so far in 2025
Planting trees and increasing woodland cover is a powerful solution to combating climate change and mitigating increasing global temperatures. Tree planting also has positive benefits for our health and the air that we breathe, as well as important habitat for wildlife, increasing biodiversity. Trees reduce the risk of flooding, limit soil erosion and help keep our streets cooler in summer.
The 6,981 trees are a combination of those we have planted, including the Covid-19 Memorial, trees planted in Parishes and green spaces across the borough and those we have supported residents to plant on their own land.
We continue to seek applications for people who wish to plant trees on land that they own and you can make an application ahead of the Autumn Season on the link below.
|
|
Solar Together 2025
Applications will reopen
31 March 2025
Solar Together Kent solar panel and battery storage group-purchase scheme allows residents and small businesses to install solar panels on their homes and businesses at a discounted, affordable price.
Any homeowner, landlord, or small business in Kent can register, with applications limited to 50 solar panels per property. If you already have solar panels installed, you can apply for battery storage to maximise the benefits of your existing solar panel installation.
You can also apply for EV charging stations.
Registrations for 2025 will open at the end of March.
Find more information on the link below.
|
|
Smoke Free Spaces
Launch Event 28 March 2025
The impacts of smoking are well known, but second-hand smoke (smoke from other people's cigarettes) is also incredibly toxic both inside and outside. That's why MBC and Kent County Council are asking people to not smoke or vape in certain public areas so that the air quality for everyone is improved as they enter and exit buildings, and smoke does not drift into buildings causing further harm.
The environmental impacts of smoking and vaping are also significant, from the contribution to our air quality, the problems of recycling disposable vapes and impacts of cigarette butts on our local wildlife and in our rivers and seas.
Join us at the Smoke Free Spaces launch event at the
Town Hall in Jubilee Square
Friday 28 March, 2pm to 3pm
There is also a public consultation on the scheme which is open until
Sunday 23 March 2025.
|
|
Cycle training courses for adults and children
Kent County Council is offering low-cost cycling courses and
e-bike courses in Maidstone
Make active greener travel safer with these cycle training courses to enhance cycling skills and boost confidence. Adult courses are designed to encourage people to cycle more frequently for both leisure and work purposes, and whether you’re a beginner learning to ride or an experienced cyclist looking to improve your skills, Kent County Council (KCC) provides a wide range of training options.
From basic Learning to Ride sessions to more advanced levels, participants gain the necessary skills to cycle safely in various environments,
including busier areas like town centres.
KCC also provides cycle training courses at primary and secondary schools across Kent for children in Year 5 and above. These 'Bikeability' courses give children the skills and confidence to ride a bike safely on the road.
Electric bike courses are also offered in Maidstone with two courses scheduled for Saturday 29 March. Find out more and book one of the few remaining spaces below.
|
|
 |
|
Loose Valley Spring Foraging Walk - Bark and Berries
Sunday 23 March, 10:30am to 12:30pm
Join experts on fun and educational experience exploring the beautiful Loose Valley while learning about the edible treasures it has to offer. The group will start outside the Chequers Inn in Loose, and lead you on a leisurely walk through the surroundings, pointing out various plants and fungi that can be safely foraged and enjoyed.
|
|
|
On the Trail of the Crane –
A talk by Ralph & Brenda Todd
RSPB Maidstone Local Group
Thursday 20 March 2025, 7:30pm to 9:30pm
A look at the history of one of our most enigmatic species, the Common Crane. Travel on their migration route from wintering areas in south-west Spain, through France, and into Scandinavia, and how this species has returned to the UK after an absence of 400 years. Ralph and Brenda are popular speakers on cruise ships, at the Grant Arms in Scotland, and have led many wildlife holidays.
|
|
|
Kent Wildlife Trust Events
Upcoming events at Tyland Barn Nature Park and Gardens, Maidstone:
Lichens for Beginners
Saturday 10 May, 10am to 4pm
This course is an introduction to the basic structure and ecology of lichens, including the importance of lichens as indicators of environmental pollution.
The course will start in the training room at Tyland Barn, where the main focus will be on how to identify some of the most commonly found lichens, using characteristics that are observable with a hand lens. In the afternoon you will be visiting Hothfield Nature Reserve and the graveyard at Hothfield Church, where you will practise ID skills in the field.
|
|
Heart of Kent Walking Festival Returns
Organised by the MBC Events Team, the Walking Festival brings people together to take part in enjoyable trails across the borough with experienced walk leaders.
The Festival will run between the 21-30 March, and walks vary in distance, price, location, theme and difficulty.
|
|
Come and visit the Maidstone Repair Café
Maidstone Climate Action Network (CAN) continue to run a Repair Café on the first Saturday of every month at Lockmeadow Market Hall, ME16 8LW
If you have broken items that you would like repaired for FREE, take them to the next Maidstone Repair Café on Saturday 5 April
between 10am and 2pm.
There is no need to book, just turn up on the day!
Items that could be repaired include toys, jewellery, electricals, clothing, textiles, furniture, wooden objects, bicycle maintenance and computers and IT.
Let's save our items from landfill!
|
|
|
The team repair workshops are very popular so book early to secure your place!
|
Team Repair Workshops
With Maidstone CAN at the Maidstone Repair Cafe
Maidstone CAN are hosting Team Repair workshops and computer tear down workshops for ages 10 to 14 each month at the Maidstone Repair Cafe.
Workshops can be booked via Eventbrite on the button below. Full details can be found on the Maidstone Repair Cafe Facebook page.
For more information you can email the Maidstone CAN team at maidstonecan@gmail.com
|
|
Thanks for reading our Climate Change and Biodiversity update. Why not sign up to our other newsletters to find out what’s happening across Maidstone Borough.
Environmental Services –parks, open spaces and waste services
What’s On in Maidstone – for all events
News – to keep up to date
Consultations – share your views
Visit Maidstone – the best places to visit and stay
Business in Maidstone – workshops, events and business support
Planning - see the latest planning applications in Maidstone
|
|
|
We want to improve our communication and engagement with you around climate change & biodiversity in Maidstone. If you want to contact us please email climateandbiodiversity@maidstone.gov.uk
If you have enjoyed reading our Climate Change & Biodiversity update, why not forward this email onto your friends and family so they can 'Stay Connected' to news from Maidstone Borough Council.
|
|
|
|
|
